Reinforced silt retention sheet

ABSTRACT

A reinforced silt retention sheet and systems for silt retention are provided. The reinforced silt retention sheet includes a non-woven fabric having a series of entangled polymer fibers with a reinforcing material secured within the fabric. The resultant reinforced silt retention sheet further can have openings of a desired size to enable filtering of a flow of fluid passing through the reinforced silt retention sheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/647,758, filed Aug. 25, 2003 now abandoned, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/406,176, filed Aug. 27,2002, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to materials used in water runoffmanagement and erosion control and, more specifically, to reinforcedsilt retention fabric materials.

BACKGROUND

Sediment has been recognized as one of the most significant waterquality impairments in the United States. Historically, soil erosion wasprimarily considered an agricultural issue, but construction sites arereceiving increased attention as more land is being developed and thereis greater awareness of water quality issues. While numerous erosion andsediment control products and practices are being used in the field toreduce soil loss from construction sites, there are only fewstandardized tests to evaluate the effectiveness of most of thesepractices, and such tests are relatively complicated. Thus, thereremains a need for a relatively simple test procedure for evaluatingsediment control products.

As a result, silt fences have become a commonly accepted erosion andsediment control product. Most silt fences are constructed of wovengeotextile fabrics, sometimes reinforced by wire, supported by metalposts. Silt fences help to impound runoff and to increase sedimentationby filtering the fluid as it flows away from the development site. Whilenot wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the silt fenceinitially removes silt and sand particles from overland flow throughfiltration of the large particles, and as the larger particles block thepores in the silt fence, runoff begins to pool or “pond” behind thefence to promote sedimentation.

Installation and maintenance is a problem commonly reported with siltfences. The geotextile fabric typically is attached with fasteners towooden or metal stakes driven into the ground to secure the fabric inposition to collect and filter dirt and debris from runoff water flows.The fasteners typically include staples, hooks, rings, or similardevices that are inserted through the fabric to attach it to the stakes.However, due to their relatively thin, porous nature, geotextile fabricsusually do not exhibit enough tensile strength to avoid pulling andtearing at the insertion or puncture points of the fasteners as water,direct, and debris bear against the fabric as runoff flow passestherethrough. When the fabric pulls and tears, it frequently fails tocontrol erosion effectively. Consequently, there is a need forgeotextile fabrics and sheets that resist tearing and pulling atfastener insertion points. Additionally, undercutting and flanking ofthe fence can occur due to improper installation, and overtopping canoccur when silt fences are improperly located in concentrated flowconditions or when the flow rate through the fence is inadequate.

Thus, there remains a need for a sediment control product, for example,a silt retention material and/or silt retention system, that featuresenhanced durability while effectively promoting sedimentation, therebyreducing maintenance and improving overall performance.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, the present invention generally is directed to a siltretention sheet or silt screen material having a body or web thatgenerally is formed of woven or nonwoven filter material, such as aspunbond polypropylene, polyester, or similar flexible polymericmaterial that allows water to pass therethrough, but substantiallyprevents silt and debris from passing therethrough. The silt retentionsheet further includes one or more reinforcing elements, strips, orbelts attached to the web at spaced intervals along or across the widthof the web. Fasteners are inserted or applied onto or through thewater-permeable web of filter material at selected locations along thereinforcing strips to attach the web material to stakes or supportmembers.

The reinforcing elements prevent ripping and tearing of the filtermaterial at the points where the fasteners are inserted through orattached to the filter material, and further provide areas forsupporting the engagement and hold of the fasteners to the filtermaterial against heavy water flows or the accumulation of sediment anddebris against the web. Some examples of the reinforcing materialinclude woven strips of nylon, reinforcing strands of fiberglass andother rugged polymeric materials. The reinforcing elements can beapplied as strands, cords, arrays, strips, patches, or lengths ofmaterial attached along the web of the silt screen material bystitching, adhesion, felting, impregnation, heat fusion, weaving, orsimilar means. For example, in one embodiment, the reinforced siltretention sheet includes a plurality of woven nylon strips or patchessewn onto and extending along the length of the web of filter material,with the strips spaced across the width of the web.

In another embodiment, the silt retention sheet includes a firstwater-permeable web on which is layered a second water-permeable web,with a reinforcing element disposed between portions of the first andsecond webs. The webs may be formed of woven and/or nonwoven materialsand constructed to allow water to pass therethrough while helping toprevent the passage of silt and/or debris therethrough. The reinforcingelement can include a plurality of reinforcing strands or strips thatform a band. A series of reinforcing bands can be formed to define areinforcing structure or array extending along selected portions of theweb.

According to another aspect of the invention, a silt retention systemincludes various features, for example, a silt retention material, atleast one stake to attach the silt retention material to, and at leastone fastener for securing the silt retention material to the at leastone stake. The silt retention system also may include a fastener supportfor further securing and stabilizing the silt retention sheet.

These and other aspects of the present invention are described ingreater detail below and shown in the accompanying drawings that arebriefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a silt retention sheetencompassing principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the silt retentionsheet of FIG. 1 fastened to support members;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of an additionalembodiment of a silt retention sheet encompassing principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of yet another embodimentof a silt retention sheet encompassing principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of still anotherembodiment of a silt retention sheet encompassing principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of another alternativeembodiment of a silt retention sheet encompassing principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a further alternative embodimentof a silt retention sheet encompassing principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an another exemplary silt retentionmaterial and system including such a material according to variousaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of yet another exemplary silt retentionmaterial and system including such a material according to variousaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 10 presents comparative average blank flow data for an exemplarysilt retention material according to various aspects of the presentinvention and a control material;

FIG. 11 presents comparative standard concentration flow data for anexemplary silt retention material according to various aspects of thepresent invention and a control material;

FIG. 12 presents comparative double concentration flow data for anexemplary silt retention material according to various aspects of thepresent invention and a control material;

FIG. 13 presents comparative standard concentration filter efficiencydata for an exemplary silt retention material according to variousaspects of the present invention and a control material;

FIG. 14 presents comparative double concentration filter efficiency datafor an exemplary silt retention material according to various aspects ofthe present invention and a control material;

FIG. 15 presents comparative standard concentration turbidity data foran exemplary silt retention material according to various aspects of thepresent invention and a control material;

FIG. 16 presents comparative double concentration turbidity data for anexemplary silt retention material according to various aspects of thepresent invention and a control material;

FIG. 17 presents comparative flow data for an exemplary silt retentionmaterial according to various aspects of the present invention and acontrol material using a modified test method;

FIG. 18 presents comparative filter efficiency data for an exemplarysilt retention material according to various aspects of the presentinvention and a control material using a modified test method;

FIG. 19 presents comparative turbidity reduction data for an exemplarysilt retention material according to various aspects of the presentinvention and a control material using a modified test method; and

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary test apparatus according to various aspectsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed generally to various erosion controlmaterials and systems. For example, such materials may be used to retainsilt suspended in stormwater flowing from development sites or othererosion-prone areas. As used herein, the term “silt” refers to soil orrock particles having a diameter of from about 1/256 mm to about 1/16 mm(about 3.9 microns to about 62.5 microns).

In one aspect, an erosion control product or system comprises areinforced silt retention sheet including one or more webs or sheets ofa substantially water-permeable material to which one or morereinforcing elements are attached and serve as points of attachment forfasteners that are used to fasten the reinforced silt retention sheetsto support members to anchor the sheets in position to filter silt anddebris from water passing through the sheet in soil erosion controlapplications. The reinforcing elements further help to reduce theincidence of tearing, pulling, and separation of the water-permeable webmaterial at or around the points of attachment for the fasteners.

As used herein, the term “water-permeable” generally refers to theability of an element or article to allow water to pass or flowtherethrough. The flow rate of water through a “water-permeable”structure as used in the present invention generally will be sufficientfor soil erosion control applications in which storm water runoff mustbe filtered and allowed to pass through the structure withoutsubstantial pooling or flooding around the silt retention sheet(s) wheninstalled.

It will be understood that whether a particular material is sufficientlywater-permeable will depend on the particular application for which thematerial is used, the composition of soil in the geographic locationwhere the material is used, the particle size of the each component inthe soil, and numerous other factors understood to those of skill in theart. Thus, while certain examples are provided herein, it will beunderstood that the performance criteria for a given application mayvary, and that some materials may be suitable for some applications andnot suitable for others.

In another aspect, a silt retention system is provided. The siltretention system may include various features, for example, a siltretention material, at least one stake to attach the silt retentionmaterial to, and at least one fastener for securing the silt retentionmaterial to the at least one stake. The silt retention system also mayinclude a fastener support for further securing and stabilizing the siltretention sheet, and for reducing the incidence of tearing at of nearthe points of attachment to each stake.

Various materials are contemplated for use with the present invention,including woven materials, nonwoven materials (also referred to asnonwoven “webs” or “fabrics”), or any combination thereof formed fromnatural materials, synthetic materials, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “woven” refers to a fabric or material made orconstructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or otherelements into a whole. Woven materials typically only stretch in thebias directions (between the warp and weft directions) unless thethreads or other materials used to form the material are elastic.

As used herein, the term “nonwoven” material or fabric or web refers toa web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which areinterlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric.Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes including,but not limited to spunbonding processes, meltblowing processes, bondedcarded web processes, felting processes, and needlepunching processes.

As used herein the term “spunbond fibers” refers to small diameterfibers of molecularly oriented polymer formed from a spunbondingprocess. Spunbond fibers are formed by extruding molten thermoplasticmaterial as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circularcapillaries of a spinneret with the diameter of the extruded filamentsthen being rapidly reduced.

Where the silt retention fabric is a spunbond material, the fibers mayhave any suitable denier as needed or desired for a particularapplication, and may generally be from about 1 to about 10 denier perfiber (dpf) (grams per 9000 meters of fiber). In one aspect, the denierof the reinforced silt retention fabric is from about 1.5 to about 8dpf. In another aspect, the denier is 2 to about 7 dpf. In yet anotheraspect, the denier is from about 3 to about 7 dpf. In yet anotheraspect, the denier is from about 4 to about 5 dpf. In one particularexample, the denier of the nonwoven fibers used to form the siltretention fabric is about 4.5 dpf.

As used herein the term “meltblown fibers” refers to fine fibers ofunoriented polymer formed from a meltblowing process. Meltblown fibersare often formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through aplurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threadsor filaments into converging high velocity, usually hot, gas (e.g. air)streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic materialto reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter.Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gasstream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomlydisbursed meltblown fibers. Meltblown fibers may be continuous ordiscontinuous, and are generally smaller than 10 microns in averagediameter.

As used herein, “bonded carded web” refers to webs made from staplefibers that are sent through a combing or carding unit, which breaksapart and aligns the staple fibers in the machine direction to form agenerally machine direction-oriented fibrous nonwoven web. Such fibersusually are purchased in bales that are placed in a picker thatseparates the fibers prior to the carding unit. Once the web is formed,it then is bonded by one or more of several known bonding methods. Onesuch bonding method is powder bonding, wherein a powdered adhesive isdistributed through the web and then activated, usually by heating theweb and adhesive with hot air. Another suitable bonding method ispattern bonding, wherein heated calendar rolls or ultrasonic bondingequipment are used to bond the fibers together, usually in a localizedbond pattern, though the web can be bonded across its entire surface ifso desired. Another suitable and well-known bonding method, particularlywhen using bicomponent staple fibers, is through-air bonding.

As used herein, a “felt” refers to a matted nonwoven material formedfrom natural and/or synthetic fibers, made by a combination ofmechanical and chemical action, pressure, moisture, and heat.

As used herein, “needlepunching” refers to a process of converting battsof loose staple or continuous fibers, or a combination of staple fibersand continuous fibers, into a coherent nonwoven fabric in which barbedneedles are punched through the batt, thereby entangling the fibers.

The silt retention material used in accordance with any of the variousaspects of the present invention may be formed from one or more polymersor polymeric materials. As used herein the term “polymer” or “polymericmaterial” includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers,such as for example, block, graft, random, and alternating copolymers,terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore,unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall includeall possible geometrical configurations of the molecule. Theseconfigurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic,and random symmetries. Typical thermoplastic polymers that may besuitable for use with the present invention include, but are not limitedto, polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, andcopolymers thereof; polytetrafluoroethylene; polyesters, e.g.polyethylene terephthalate; vinyl polymers, e.g., polyvinyl chloride,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylchloride acetate, polyvinyl butyral; acrylic resins, e.g. polyacrylate,polymethylacrylate, and polymethylmethacrylate; polyamides, e.g., nylon6,6; polystyrenes; polyurethanes; cellulosic resins, e.g., cellulosicnitrate, cellulosic acetate, cellulosic acetate butyrate, ethylcellulose; copolymers of any of the above materials; or any blend orcombination thereof.

Thus, by way of example and not by limitation, the material used inaccordance with the present invention may be a woven polypropylenefabric, a nonwoven polypropylene fabric, for example, a spunbondpolypropylene fabric, a woven polyethylene terephthalate fabric, anonwoven polyethylene terephthalate fabric, for example, a spunbondpolyethylene terephthalate fabric, a needlepunched polyethyleneterephthalate fabric, a needlepunched spunbond polyethyleneterephthalate fabric, a woven nylon fabric, woven natural fiber fabric,or any combination thereof.

One example of a woven polypropylene fabric that may be suitable for usewith the present invention is commercially available from Amoco Fabricsand Fibers Company (Austell, Ga.) under the trade name PROPEX® 1198geotextile. The properties of PROPEX® 1198 geotextile as provided by themanufacturer are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Min. Average Min. Average Property Test Method Value (English)Value (Metric) Grab tensile ASTM-D-4632 300/200 lb 1.33/.890 kN Grabelongation ASTM-D-4632 15% 15% Mullen burst ASTM-D-3786 450 psi 3100 kPaPuncture ASTM-D-4833 120 lb 0.530 kN Trapezoidal tear ASTM-D-4533 65 lb0.285 kN UV resistance ASTM-D-4355 90% at 500 hr 90% at 500 hr AOSASTM-D-4751 40 sieve 0.425 mm Permittivity ASTM-D-4491 0.5 sec 0.5 secFlow rate ASTM-D-4491 50 gal/min/ft² 2035 L/min/m²

Another example of a woven polypropylene fabric that may be suitable foruse with the present invention is commercially available fromWillacoochee Industrial Fabrics (Willacoochee, Ga.) under the trade nameSTYLE 2098 SILT FENCE fabric, described in detail in the Examples.

One example of a needlepunched spunbond polyethylene terephthalatefabric that may be suitable for use with the present invention iscommercially available from Silt-Saver, Inc. (Conyers, Ga.) under thetrade name BELTED SILT RETENTION FENCE fabric, described in detail inthe Examples.

In this and other aspects of the present invention, the silt retentionmaterial may include one or more reinforcing elements. The reinforcingmaterial or element may be any suitable construct or element(collectively “elements”) that is capable of enhancing at least one ofthe tensile strength, burst strength, puncture resistance, tearstrength, or the like, of the woven or nonwoven material.

The reinforcement elements generally may be formed from any strong,resilient, substantially tear resistant material as needed or desiredfor a particular application. Examples of such materials include, butare not limited to, woven or nonwoven polymeric materials, such as nylon6,6, spun or woven yarns, cord materials, scrim, fiberglass, aramidfibers or other, similar high strength, flexible materials, or anycombination thereof. In this and other aspects of the present invention,while various examples are provided herein, it will be understood thatany suitable material may be used, such as those described above.

As one example of the numerous reinforcing materials and elementsdescribed herein, the reinforcing material may comprise a scrim formedfrom natural fibers, synthetic fibers, metal wire, carbon fibers,fiberglass, other materials, or any combination thereof. Some syntheticfibers that may be used to form a scrim include, but are not limited to,those made from polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polyethelene, andcopolymers thereof; polyamides, such as nylon 6,6,; polyesters, such aspolyethylene terephthalate; vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride;and any combination thereof. Other suitable polymers described herein orcontemplated hereby also may be used.

A scrim used in accordance with the present invention may have anysuitable fiber size, denier, and weave as needed or desired for aparticular application. For example, the scrim may be from about 0.01inch to about 1 inch mesh. In one aspect, the scrim is from about 0.1inch to about 0.8 inch mesh. In another aspect, the scrim is from about0.15 inch to about 0.5 inch mesh. In yet another aspect, the scrim isfrom about 0.2 inch mesh to about 0.4 inch mesh. In one particularexample, the scrim is about 0.25 in mesh.

The reinforcing element may be attached to or incorporated into the siltretention material using any suitable method, process, or technique. Byway of example and not limitation, the reinforcing element may bemechanically attached, for example, by stitches, hook-and-loopfasteners, staples, snaps, clips, or any combination thereof, adhesivelyattached, for example, by gluing, thermally attached, for example, byfusing or ultrasonic bonding, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, the reinforcing element may be integrallyformed with the silt retention material, for example, by weaving or byincorporating the element into the nonwoven material during manufacture.Thus, the silt retention sheet may comprise a nonwoven fabric having areinforcing element embedded within the entangled nonwoven fibers. Thesilt retention sheet may be formed, for example, by depositing one ormore layers of nonwoven fibers on a moving wire, depositing thereinforcing material and/or element(s) thereon, and depositing one ormore layers of additional fibers over the reinforcing material such thatthe fibers overlie and substantially encompass the with the reinforcingmaterial and or element(s).

If desired, the resulting structure may be subject to one or moreadditional processes as is known to those in the art. For example, theresulting structure may be subject to a mechanical entanglement processto enmesh the various layers of fiber and the reinforcing material. As aresult, the reinforcing material is secured within the fibers bymechanical entrapment in the absence of thermal or adhesive bonding orfusing to or with the nonwoven fibers. One example of a system thatincludes such a material is commercially available from Silt-Saver, Inc.(Conyers, Ga.) under the trade name BELTED SILT RETENTION FENCE,described in detail in the Examples.

Alternatively, the reinforcing element may be secured within the fibersby mechanical entrapment with only minimal bonding or fusing to thenonwoven fibers. Such materials may be formed according to numerousprocesses. For example, where the reinforcing element is formed from apolymer or other material capable of softening in response to heat, thepolymer used to form the nonwoven fibers may be selected such that thenonwoven fibers have a lower softening point than the reinforcingelement. The structure then can be through air bonded or point bonded ata temperature above the softening point of the entangled polymericfibers but below the softening point of the reinforcing element. Bydoing so, the softened polymer fibers fuse primarily to other softenedpolymer fibers, but also may bond somewhat to the reinforcing element.Thus, the reinforcing element may be secured within the fibers bymechanical entrapment in the absence of substantial bonding or fusing tothe nonwoven fibers.

As another example, the reinforcing material may be secured within thefibers by mechanical entrapment and also is thermally, adhesively,and/or mechanically bonded or otherwise attached to the nonwoven fibers.Such materials may be formed by numerous processes. For example, thereinforcing material and the polymer used to form the reinforcingelement may be selected to have a particular softening point, and theresulting structure may be point bonded or through air bonded at atemperature above the softening point of each to fuse the polymericfibers and the reinforcing material and increase the integrity of theresulting nonwoven fabric.

Various aspects of present invention may be illustrated further byreferring to the figures. For purposes of simplicity, like numerals maybe used to describe like features. It will be understood that where aplurality of similar features are depicted, not all of such features arenecessarily labeled on each figure. While various examples are shown anddescribed in detail herein, it also will be understood that anyreinforcing material may be used with any silt retention materialdescribed herein or contemplated hereby.

In FIG. 1, a reinforced silt retention sheet 10 generally includes asheet, blanket, or web 12 comprising a geotextile fabric or other,similar water-permeable filter material to which reinforcement elementsor belts 20 are attached in spaced series. In this and other aspects ofthe present invention, the water-permeable web of filter material 12 canbe formed any suitable from woven or nonwoven, natural or syntheticmaterial. In this example, the reinforcement elements 20 are applied tothe water-permeable web 12 such as with lines of stitching 24. However,as discussed above, the reinforcement elements 20 may be attached to thewater-permeable web 12 by any other appropriate means, such asadhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, staples, etc., or any combinationthereof. The reinforcement belts support and provide reinforcementpoints at which fasteners can be attached to the web 12 for securing theweb to stakes or other supports.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary reinforced silt retention sheet 10also includes a reinforcement border 22 attached to the edge of thewater-permeable web 12. The reinforcement border 22 further helps tostrengthen the water-permeable web 12 and provide an additional area forattaching fasteners thereto.

FIG. 2 shows the reinforced silt retention sheet 10 of FIG. 1 fastenedto ground supports, such as stakes 50, by fasteners 60. The stakes 50typically are wooden or metal, but can be formed from of any otherresilient, durable material capable of supporting the web. In this andother aspects of the invention, the fasteners 60 may include staples,pins, nails, rings, clips, or any other suitable fastener for securingthe web to the stakes, depending on the type of stakes used. Thefasteners 60 are fastened to the stakes 50 and inserted through thereinforcement elements 20 and the reinforcement border 22 to retain thesheet 10 in place. In this manner, the sheet 10 may be securelypositioned at desired locations for filtering runoff waterflows passingthrough the water-permeable web 12 while preventing the passage of siltor debris therethrough. The reinforcement elements help support the webon the stakes 50 by providing enhanced strength at the points ofengagement of the fasteners 60 with the web to resist tearing of the webas silt and dirt build up thereagainst.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a reinforced silt retentionsheet 110 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, thereinforcement elements 120 generally comprise patches or stripsdistributed or applied at selected locations across the sheet of thewater-permeable material or web 112. The reinforcement elements 120 maybe attached to the water-permeable web 112 as discussed above withregard to attachment of the reinforcement elements 20 to web 12. Asdiscussed above, the water-permeable web 112 of the present inventionmay be any suitable material used to retain silt and debris whileallowing passage of water therethrough. The reinforcement elements 120may be distributed along the sheet 110 in any appropriate or desirednumber or pattern to provide multiple spaced areas of reinforcementand/or attachment. The web is attached via fasteners applied through thereinforcement elements to attach the web to supports such as stakes andprevent or resist tearing or pulling of the web away from the supportsas water passes therethrough.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a reinforced silt retention sheetaccording to the present invention. In this embodiment, the siltretention sheet 210 is formed of a nonwoven, water-permeable web 212composed of a suitable polymeric material. Reinforcing elements 220 areattached at spaced locations across the width of the web 212 byappropriate means, such as stitching, adhesion, felting, stapling,riveting, etc. The reinforcing elements 220 in this embodiment generallyare bands that extend longitudinally along portions of the web 212 toprovide points of attachment of fasteners to the sheet 210. The bandsmay be formed of various materials, such as woven polymeric belts,plastic strips, twisted or spun yarns, cord, ropes, spun fibers such asfiberglass, or other suitable structures. The reinforcing bands 220enable attachment of the web 212 to ground supports with various desiredspacing between the supports as needed.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a reinforced silt retention sheet310. As with the silt retention sheet 210 shown in FIG. 4, the siltretention sheet 310 generally includes a water-permeable, woven, ornonwoven filtering material body or web 312 to which a series ofreinforcing elements 320 are attached. The reinforcing elements 320generally are composed of a plurality of reinforcing strips or strands322 that are aligned in proximity with each other to form bandsextending along the web 312. The reinforcing strands 322 may be formedfrom various materials including, but not limited to, polymericfilaments, such as polypropylene, polyester, or nylon 6,6, spun or wovenyarns, cord materials, scrim, fiberglass, aramid fibers or other, highstrength, flexible materials, or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing strands 322 are aligned in proximityto each other but do not intertwine or overlap. The reinforcing strands322 can be attached by a variety of means to the web 312, includingthreading or weaving the strands through the web, felting, heat fusionor simply can be disposed within the web 312 during manufacture of theweb.

The proximity of the reinforcing strands 322 to each other to form thereinforcing elements 320 tends to increase the strength of the sheet 310in and around the reinforcing elements 320, even though the reinforcingstrands do not intertwine or overlap. Nonetheless, the reinforcingstrands 320 impart sufficient strength to the silt retention sheet 310to reduce the incidents of tearing, separation, and pulling of the web312 when the sheet 310 is fastened to support members by fastenersattached to the sheet 310 at the reinforcing elements 320, as discussedabove with reference to the sheet 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative silt retention sheet 410 of thepresent invention in which an array 424 of reinforcing strands 422 isprovided. As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing strands of the array 424intersect and overlap each other across at least a portion of the siltretention sheet 410. The array 424 further typically can include one ormore bands 421 of reinforcing materials that make up the reinforcingelements 420. The bands 421 generally are composed of two or morereinforcing strands 422 that are aligned adjacent to each other incloser proximity than the other strands within the array 424. Thereinforcing strands of the bands 421 generally are aligned parallel toeach other and may contact or overlap each other to form the bands 421.In this embodiment, the reinforcing elements 420 constitute areas alongthe sheet 410 that have higher concentrations of reinforcing strands 422than the average concentration of strands on the sheet 410. The array424 of reinforcing strands generally strengthens the web 412 to which itis attached. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the web 412 is composed ofa nonwoven material, such as a spunbond polypropylene or polyester, orany of the other materials described herein or contemplated hereby. Thereinforcing strands of the reinforcing elements 420 and the array 424may be attached to the web 412 by various means, such as adhesion, heatfusion, impregnation, weaving, stitching, felting, etc.

FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the reinforced siltretention sheet 510, which includes a first water-permeable nonwoven web512a on which is layered on a second water-permeable nonwoven web 512b.As used herein, the term “layered on” refers to the orientation of onearticle or element relative to another and generally means that at leasta portion of one element is applied to another element in an overlappingand parallel relationship. An array 524 of reinforcing strands isdisposed between the first and second webs 512a and 512b and includesone or more bands 521 formed of reinforcing strands that constitutereinforcing elements 520 of the sheet 510. Although the webs 512a and512b shown in FIG. 7 generally are nonwoven, the silt retention sheetsmay be formed from woven webs, as discussed above. For example, thereinforced silt retention sheet of the present invention may include oneor more nonwoven water permeable webs layered on one or more wovenwater-permeable webs that tend to prevent the passage of silt and debristherethrough. The webs may be layered upon and secured to each otherusing various means, such as adhesion, interweaving, stitching, felting,heat fusion, etc. Although FIG. 7 depicts an array 524 of reinforcedstrands that form in part the reinforcing elements 520 of the sheet 510,it is to be understood that, in this and other aspects of the invention,other reinforcing elements and combinations thereof shown in the variousembodiments may be incorporated into a sheet in which two or more websare layered on each other.

The reinforced silt retention fabric may be designed to have variousproperties, as needed or desired for a particular application. It willbe understood by those of skill in the art that depending on theparticular application and the particular jurisdiction in which the siltretention material is used, various minimum physical property andperformance requirements may apply. By way of example, and not bylimitation, the minimum requirements for the state of Georgia forvarious applications are presented in Tables 1 and 2 (Manual for Erosionand Sediment Control in Georgia, 2000).

TABLE 1 Application Type Description A This 36-inch wide filter fabricshall be used on developments where the life of the project is greaterthan or equal to six months. B Though only 22-inches wide, this filterfabric allows the same flow rate as Type A silt fence. Type B silt fenceshall be limited to use on minor projects, such as residential homesites or small commercial developments where permanent stabilizationwill be achieved in less than six months. C Type C fence is 36-incheswide with wire reinforcement. The wire reinforcement is necessarybecause this fabric allows almost three times the flow rate as Type Asilt fence. Type C silt fence shall be used where runoff flows orvelocities are particularly high or where slopes exceed a verticalheight of 10 feet. Provide a riprap splash pad or other outletprotection device for any point where flow may top the sediment fence.Ensure that the maximum height of the fence at a protected, reinforcedoutlet does not exceed 1 ft. and that support post spacing does notexceed 4 ft.

TABLE 2 Property Type A Type B Type C Minimum tensile strength (lb)Warp - 120 Warp - 120 Warp - 260 (ASTM D-4632) Fill - 100 Fill - 100Fill - 180 (min. roll average of 5 specimens) Maximum elongation (%) 4040 40 (ASTM D-4632) AOS - Apparent opening size #30  #30  #30  (max.sieve size) (0.595 mm) (0.595 mm) (0.595 mm) (ASTM D-4751) Flow Rate(gal/min/sq.ft.) 25 25 70 (GDT-87) Ultraviolet stability (% of 80 80 80required initial minimum tensile strength) (ASTM D-4632 after 300 hoursweathering per ASTM D-4355) Bursting strength (psi) 175  175  175  (ASTMD-3786) Minimum fabric width (in.) 36 22 36

The reinforced silt retention fabric may have any suitable basis weightas needed or desired for a particular application, and generally may befrom about 35 to about 275 grams per square meter (gsm). In one aspect,the basis weight of the reinforced silt retention fabric is from about50 to about 200 gsm. In another aspect, the basis weight is about 75 toabout 150 gsm. In yet another aspect, the basis weight is from about 100to about 130 gsm. In one particular example, the basis weight of thereinforced silt retention fabric is about 120 gsm.

The reinforced silt retention fabric may have any suitable thickness asneeded or desired for a particular application, and generally may befrom about 0.1 to about 5 millimeters (mm). In one aspect, the thicknessis from about 0.15 to about 3 mm. In another aspect, the thickness isfrom about 0.2 to about 2 mm. In yet another aspect, the thickness isfrom about 0.25 to about 1 mm. In another aspect, the thickness is fromabout 0.3 to about 0.7 mm. In one particular example, the thickness ofthe reinforced silt retention sheet is about 0.4 mm.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a maximumapparent opening size (AOS) of 0.595 mm (30 mesh) or less, as measuredaccording to ASTM D-4751. In one aspect, the maximum AOS is 0.595 mm. Inanother aspect, the maximum AOS is 0.500 mm (35 mesh). In anotheraspect, the maximum AOS is 0.420 mm (40 mesh). In still another aspect,the maximum AOS is 0.354 mm (45 mesh). In yet another aspect, themaximum AOS is 0.297 mm (50 mesh). In another aspect, the maximum AOS is0.250 mm (60 mesh). In yet another aspect, the maximum AOS is 0.210 mm(70 mesh). In still another aspect, the maximum AOS is 0.177 (80 mesh).

In another aspect, the maximum AOS is less than 0.595 mm. In yet anotheraspect, the maximum AOS is less than 0.500 mm. In another aspect, themaximum AOS is less than 0.420 mm. In still another aspect the maximumAOS is less than 0.354 mm. In yet another aspect, the maximum AOS isless than 0.297 mm. In another aspect, the maximum AOS is less than0.250 mm. In yet another aspect, the maximum AOS is less than 0.210 mm.

The reinforced silt retention fabric may have any suitable flow ratetherethrough as measured according to ASTM D-4491, and may generally befrom about 35 to about 160 gallons/minute/square foot (gal/min/sqft). Inone aspect, the flow rate is from about 50 to about 140 gal/min/sqft. Inanother aspect, the flow rate is from about 70 to about 125gal/min/sqft. In yet another aspect, the flow rate is from about 80 toabout 100 gal/min/sqft. In another aspect, the flow rate is at leastabout 50 gal/min/sqft. In still another aspect, the flow rate is atleast about 70 gal/min/sqft. In a further aspect, the flow rate is atleast about 90 gal/min/sqft. In another aspect, the flow rate is greaterthan 50 gal/min/sqft. In one particular example, the water flow ratethrough the reinforced silt retention fabric is about 95 gal/min/sqft.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a tensilestrength of at least about 100 lb in the warp (machine) direction (“warptensile strength”), as measured according to ASTM D-4632. In one aspect,the warp tensile strength is at least about 125 lb. In another aspect,the warp tensile strength is at least about 150 lb. In yet anotheraspect, the warp tensile strength is at least about 175 lb. In anotheraspect, the warp tensile strength is at least about 200 lb. In stillanother aspect, the warp tensile strength is from about 100 to about 150lb. In another aspect, the warp tensile strength is from about 200 toabout 300 lb. In another aspect, the warp tensile strength is from about100 to about 350 lb. In one particular example, the warp tensilestrength of the reinforced silt retention fabric is about 124 lb.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a tensilestrength of at least about 75 lb in the fill (cross machine) direction(“fill tensile strength”), as measured according to ASTM D-4632. In oneaspect, the fill tensile strength is at least about 100 lb. In anotheraspect, the fill tensile strength is at least about 125 lb. In yetanother aspect, the fill tensile strength is at least about 150 lb. Inanother aspect, the fill tensile strength is at least about 175 lb. Instill another aspect, the fill tensile strength is from about 75 toabout 100 lb. In another aspect, the fill tensile strength is from about75 to about 150 lb. In yet another aspect, the fill tensile strength isfrom about 150 to about 250 lb. In another aspect, the fill tensilestrength is from about 75 to about 450 lb. In one particular example,the fill tensile strength of the reinforced silt retention fabric isabout 88 lb.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a trapezoidaltear strength in the warp direction (“warp trapezoidal tear strength”)of at least about 10 decaNewtons (dN), as measured according to ASTMD-4533. In one aspect, the warp trapezoidal tear strength is at leastabout 15 dN. In another aspect, the warp trapezoidal tear strength is atleast about 20 dN. In still another aspect, the warp trapezoidal tearstrength is from about 15 to about 60 dN. In another aspect, the warptrapezoidal tear strength is from about 17 to about 40 dN. In yetanother aspect, the warp trapezoidal tear strength is from about 20 toabout 30 dN. In one particular example, the warp trapezoidal tearstrength of the reinforced silt retention fabric is about 22 dN.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may a trapezoidal tearstrength in the fill direction (“fill trapezoidal tear strength”) of atleast about 10 dN, as measured according to ASTM D-4533. In one aspect,the fill trapezoidal tear strength is at least about 15 dN. In anotheraspect, the fill trapezoidal tear strength is at least about 18 dN. Instill another aspect, the fill trapezoidal tear strength is from about12 to about 50 dN. In another aspect, the fill trapezoidal tear strengthis from about 15 to about 40 dN. In yet another aspect, the filltrapezoidal tear strength is from about 18 to about 30 dN. In oneparticular example, the fill trapezoidal tear strength of the reinforcedsilt retention fabric is about 20 dN.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have puncturestrength of at least about 12 dN, as measured according to ASTM D-4533.In one aspect, the puncture strength is at least about 18 dN. In anotheraspect, the puncture strength is at least about 20 dN. In still anotheraspect, the puncture strength is from about 12 to about 75 dN. Inanother aspect, the puncture strength is from about 15 to about 50 dN.In yet another aspect, the puncture strength is from about 18 to about30 dN. In one particular example, the puncture strength of thereinforced silt retention fabric is about 24 dN.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a mullen burststrength at least about 150 psi, as measured according to ASTM D-3786.In one aspect, the mullen burst strength is at least about 200 psi. Inanother aspect, the mullen burst strength is at least about 250 psi. Inyet another aspect, the mullen burst strength is at least about 300 psi.In another aspect, the mullen burst strength is at least about 350 psi.In still another aspect, the mullen burst strength is at least about 400psi. In another aspect, the mullen burst strength is t least about 500psi. In still another aspect, the mullen burst strength is from about150 to about 450 psi. In yet another aspect, the mullen burst strengthis from about 175 to about 300 psi. In one particular example, themullen burst strength of the reinforced silt retention fabric is about206 psi.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a standardconcentration filtering efficiency of at least about 85%, as measuredaccording to ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect, the standardconcentration filtering efficiency is at least about 90%. In anotheraspect, the standard concentration filtering efficiency is at leastabout 92%. In another aspect, the standard concentration filteringefficiency is at least about 94%. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration filtering efficiency is at least about 96%. In stillanother aspect, the standard concentration filtering efficiency of thereinforced silt retention fabric is at least about 98%. In still anotheraspect, the standard concentration filtering efficiency is greater than97% for sand. In still another aspect, the standard concentrationfiltering efficiency is greater than 87% for silt. In yet anotheraspect, the standard concentration filtering efficiency is greater than90% for clay.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a standardconcentration reduction in turbidity of at least about 20%, as measuredaccording to ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is at least about 35%. In anotheraspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity is at leastabout 50%. In yet another aspect, the standard concentration reductionin turbidity is at least about 65%. In still another aspect, thestandard concentration reduction in turbidity of the reinforced siltretention fabric is at least about 80%.

In another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 25% for sand. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 30% for sand. Inanother aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 35% for sand. In still another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 40% for sand. Inanother aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 45% for sand. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 40% for sand. Inanother aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 45% for sand. In a further aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 50% for sand. Inanother aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 55% for sand.

In yet another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidityis greater than 58% for silt. In another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 60% for silt. Instill another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidityis greater than 65% for silt. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 70% for silt. Inanother aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 75% for silt. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 80% for silt.

In another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 51% for clay. In yet another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 55% for clay. Instill another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidityis greater than 60% for clay. In another aspect, the standardconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 65% for clay. Inyet another aspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 70% for clay. In another aspect, the standard concentrationreduction in turbidity is greater than 75% for clay. In still anotheraspect, the standard concentration reduction in turbidity is greaterthan 80% for clay.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a doubleconcentration filtering efficiency of at least about 90%, as measuredaccording to ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect, the doubleconcentration filtering efficiency is at least about 92%. In anotheraspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency is at least about94%. In yet another aspect, the double concentration filteringefficiency is at least about 96%. In still another aspect, the doubleconcentration filtering efficiency of the reinforced silt retentionfabric is at least about 98%.

In another aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency isgreater than 97% for sand. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration filtering efficiency is greater than 98% for sand.

In still another aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiencyis greater than 90% for silt. In another aspect, the doubleconcentration filtering efficiency is greater than 92% for silt. In yetanother aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency is greaterthan 94% for silt. In still another aspect, the double concentrationfiltering efficiency is greater than 96% for silt.

In yet another aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency ofthe reinforced silt retention fabric is greater than 91% for clay. Inanother aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency of thereinforced silt retention fabric is greater than 93% for clay. In yetanother aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency of thereinforced silt retention fabric is greater than 95% for clay. In stillanother aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency of thereinforced silt retention fabric is greater than 97% for clay.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity of at least about 20%, as measuredaccording to ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is at least about 35%. In anotheraspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity is at leastabout 50%. In yet another aspect, the double concentration reduction inturbidity is at least about 65%. In still another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity of the reinforced silt retentionfabric is at least about 80%.

In another aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 31% for sand. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 35% for sand. Inanother aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 40% for sand. In still another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 45% for sand. Inanother aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 50% for sand.

In another aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 58% for silt. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 60% for silt. Instill another aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 65% for silt. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 70% for silt. Inanother aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 75% for silt. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 80% for silt. In afurther aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 85% for silt.

In another aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 45% for clay. In yet another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 50% for clay. Inanother aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 55% for clay. In still another aspect, the doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 60% for clay. Inanother aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 65% for clay. In a further aspect, the double concentrationreduction in turbidity is greater than 70% for clay. In another aspect,the double concentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 75% forclay. In yet another aspect, the double concentration reduction inturbidity is greater than 80% for clay.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a standardconcentration filtering efficiency greater than about 80% for silt asmeasured according to modified ASTM D-5141-96(2004), described inExample 2. In one aspect, the standard concentration filteringefficiency is greater than 84% for silt. In another aspect, the standardconcentration filtering efficiency is greater than 86% for silt. In yetanother aspect, the standard concentration filtering efficiency isgreater than 86% for silt.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a standardconcentration reduction in turbidity of greater than about 40% for silt,as measured according to modified ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect,the standard concentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 46%for silt. In another aspect, the standard concentration reduction inturbidity is greater than 50% for silt. In yet another aspect, thestandard concentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 55% forsilt. In still another aspect, the standard concentration reduction inturbidity is greater than 60% for silt.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a doubleconcentration filtering efficiency greater than about 80% for silt asmeasured according to modified ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect, thedouble concentration filtering efficiency is greater than 85% for silt.In another aspect, the double concentration filtering efficiency isgreater than 87% for silt. In another aspect, the double concentrationfiltering efficiency is greater than 89% for silt. In another aspect,the double concentration filtering efficiency is greater than 90% forsilt.

The reinforced silt retention fabric generally may have a doubleconcentration reduction in turbidity of greater than about 50% for silt,as measured according to modified ASTM D-5141-96(2004). In one aspect,the double concentration reduction in turbidity is greater than 53% forsilt. In one aspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity isgreater than 55% for silt. In another aspect, the double concentrationreduction in turbidity is greater than 60% for silt. In yet anotheraspect, the double concentration reduction in turbidity is greater than65% for silt. In another aspect, the double concentration reduction inturbidity is greater than 70% for silt.

The reinforced silt retention sheet typically has a width of about 1 toabout 4 feet, though greater or lesser widths can be used depending uponthe application or use, and generally will be unrolled or fed out andcut to a desired length. In one aspect, the silt retention sheet has awidth of from about 18 to about 26 inches, for example, about 22 inches.In another aspect, the silt retention sheet has a width of from about 32to about 40 inches, for example, about 36 inches. In yet another aspect,the silt retention sheet has a width that is at least about 15 inches,for example, at least about 20 inches.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a silt retentionsystem is provided. In one variation of this aspect shown in FIG. 8, thesystem includes a silt retention sheet 610, at least one stake 612, andat least one fastener 614. To assemble the silt retention system into asilt retention fence 600, a stake 612 is inserted into the soil (notshown), the silt retention sheet 610 is aligned with the stake 612, andthe fastener 614 is inserted through the sheet 610 into the stake 612.This process is repeated until the desired silt retention fence orsystem is attained.

It will be understood that the various components may be assembled invarious other orders, as desired. Also, it will be understood that thefastener may be inserted through the stake or through the sheet,provided that the sheet is securely attached. If desired, the siltretention system may be pre-assembled, such that the stakes arepre-attached to the silt retention fabric using the fasteners. In suchan instance, the system may be rolled up, folded, wound onto a supportroll, or the like, for easy transportation and assembly. The stakes thenwould be inserted into the soil as desired.

Any silt retention fabric may be used, including but not limited to,those described herein or contemplated hereby. In one exemplary systemaccording to this aspect, the system includes a scrim-reinforcednonwoven silt retention fabric, where the reinforcing material isembedded with the fibers and secured by mechanical entrapment, withoutsubstantially bonding or fusing the scrim reinforcing element to or withthe nonwoven fibers. In another exemplary system according to thisaspect, the system includes a scrim-reinforced nonwoven silt retentionfabric, where the reinforcing material is embedded with the fibers andis secured further by adhesive and/or thermal bonding.

The stake can be wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material, asneeded or desired for a particular application. Likewise, any suitablefastener may be used, for example, a staple, pin, clip, hook, hook andloop, snap, band, screw, nail, or any other implement capable ofpenetrating the fabric and securing it to the stake.

Thus, in one particular example, the system may include at least onewood stake, at least one fastener, for example, a staple, and aneedlepunched spunbond polyester nonwoven fabric having a fiberglassscrim 616 entrapped and entangled with the fibers 618 without additionaladhesive or mechanical bonding.

In another variation of this aspect shown in FIG. 9, the system includesa silt retention sheet 710, at least one stake 712, at least onefastener 714, and at least one fastener support 716. To assemble thesilt retention into a fence 700 according to this aspect, a stake 712 isinserted into the soil (not shown), the silt retention sheet 710 isaligned with the stake 712, the fastener support 716 is positioned overthe sheet distal, but in at least partial alignment with, the stake 712,and the fastener 714 is inserted through the fastener support 716,through the sheet 710, and into the stake 712. This process is repeateduntil the desired silt retention fence or system is attained.

It will be understood that the various components may be assembled invarious other orders, as desired. Also, it will be understood that thefastener may be inserted through the stake or through the fastenersupport, provided that the sheet is securely attached.

As with above, if desired, the silt retention system may bepre-assembled, such that the stakes are pre-attached to the siltretention fabric using the fasteners and fastener supports. In such aninstance, the system may be rolled up, folded, wound onto a supportroll, or the like, for easy transportation and assembly. The stakes thenwould be inserted into the soil as desired.

In use, the fastener support minimizes tearing of the fabric at orproximate the attachment points along the stake, thereby reducing therate of failure of the silt retention fence. Furthermore, depending onthe particular application, use of a fastener support also may improvesedimentation by providing a more stable fence that is capable ofretaining more solids, even during heavy flow.

Numerous fastener supports are contemplated by the present invention. Ifdesired, any of the various numerous strips, bands, belts, patches, andother reinforcing elements described herein or contemplated hereby alsomay be used as a fastener support. In one aspect, the fastener supportis a strip, band, piece, disk, or any other shaped piece of wood,plastic, metal, composite material, or any other suitable materialthrough which the desired fastener can penetrate.

The fastener support may be dimensioned to have any desired width, forexample, from about 0.125 to about 0.75 inches. As another example, thewidth of the fastener support may be from about 0.25 to about 0.5inches. If desired, the width of the fastener support may be selected tobe approximately equal to that of the stake for easy alignment thereof.However, it will be understood that the width of the support may begreater or less than that of the stake.

The fastener support may have any thickness as needed or desired,provided that fastener is capable of sufficiently penetrating thesupport, the fabric, and the stake to provide a secure attachment of thefabric thereto. It will be understood that if a particular support isdesired to be used, an alternate fastener may be selected to achieve asecure attachment of the fabric to the stake.

Likewise, the fastener support may have any length as desired. Thesupport generally may have a length that is less than the length of thestake (or the height of the resulting fence). In one example, thefastener support has a length that is approximately equal to that of theintended exposed area of the stake (that which is not underground). Inone aspect, the support has a length of from about 2 to about 24 inches,for example, about 18 inches. In another aspect, the support has alength of from about 32 to about 40 inches, for example, about 30inches. In yet another aspect, the support has a length that is at leastabout 15 inches, for example, at least about 18 inches. Other examplesof lengths that may be suitable include 2 inches, 5 inches, and 12inches. However, numerous other lengths are contemplated hereby.

Any silt retention sheet may be used, including but not limited to,those described herein or contemplated hereby. In one exemplary systemaccording to this aspect, the system includes a scrim-reinforcednonwoven silt retention sheet, where the reinforcing element is embeddedwith the fibers and secured by mechanical entrapment, without bonding orfusing the reinforcing element to or with the nonwoven fibers. Inanother exemplary system according to this aspect, the system includes ascrim-reinforced nonwoven silt retention sheet, where the reinforcingelement is embedded with the fibers and is secured further by adhesiveand/or thermal bonding.

As with the various other systems provided herein or contemplatedhereby. The stake can be wood, metal, plastic, or other suitablematerial, as needed or desired for a particular application. Likewise,any suitable fastener may be used, for example, a staple, pin, clip,hook, hook and loop, snap, band, screw, nail, or any other implementcapable of penetrating the fastener support and the fabric, and securingit to the stake.

Thus, by way of example and not by limitation, one example of a systemaccording to this aspect may include a fabric comprising a wood stake, awood lattice strip fastener support, a fastener, for example, a staple,and a needlepunched spunbond polyester nonwoven material having afiberglass scrim 718 entrapped and entangled with the fibers 720 withoutany additional adhesive or mechanical bonding. Various aspects of thepresent invention may be understood further by way of the followingexamples, which are not to be construed as limiting in any manner.

EXAMPLES

The properties and performance of an exemplary silt retention system (S)according to the present invention were evaluated to determine itssediment restraining properties and flow through rates relative to acommercially available Type C silt fence (W) control. Dimensionalanalysis also was conducted to determine the maximum loads that would beexpected with typical sediment barrier applications. The physicalcharacteristics of the systems are provided in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Sample W Sample S General description Woven polypropylene, styleFiberglass scrim (0.25 in. mesh) 2098, 28 EPI × 19 PPI reinforcedspunbond polyester (about 4-5 dpf) attached to stake using wood latticefastener support strip Source Willacoochee Industrial FabricsSilt-Saver, Inc. (Willacoochee, GA) (Conyers, GA) Basis weight (osy) 6.2  3.0 Thickness (mm) Not tested 0.4 mm Grab tensile (lb) Warp(machine direction) - 300 Warp (machine direction) - 124 (ASTM D-4632)Fill (cross direction) - 200 Fill (cross direction) - 88 Grab elongation(%)  30 Warp (machine direction) - 81 (ASTM D-4632) Fill (crossdirection) - 102 AOS - Apparent # 40 # 70 opening size (max. (0.420 mm)(0.210 mm) sieve size) (ASTM D-4751) Flow rate  50  95 (gal/min/sq. ft.)(2035 L/min/m²) (ASTM D-4491) Permittivity (per sec) Not tested  1.27(ASTM D-4491) Permeability Not tested  0.226 (cm/sec) (ASTM D-4491)Ultraviolet stability 90% Not tested after 300 hours (after 500 hours)(ASTM D-4355) Burst strength, PSI 450 206 (ASTM D-3786) Minimum fabricunknown  42 width (in.) Puncture (lb) 120 24 dN Trapezoid tear 65 lbWarp - 22 dN Fill - 20 dN

Example 1

Testing was conducted according to ASTM D-5141-96(2004) titled “StandardTest Method for Determining Filtering Efficiency and Flow Rate of aGeotextile for Silt Fence Application Using Site-Specific Soil”. Awatertight flume was constructed using aluminum and pressure treatedplywood using specifications from FIG. 1 of ASTM D-5141. The flume wassupported at an 8% grade. The test material was fastened securely alongthe entire length of 3 sides of the flume opening to ensure that thematerial had no wrinkles or loose sections across the entire crosssection.

Three soil types were selected for use in preparing slurry mixtures. Thesoils were chosen to represent the variety of textural propertiescommonly found in Georgia and to test the materials effectiveness atcontaining sediment derived from various parent materials (Table 4). Torepresent the diversity found in many soils, for example, in Georgia, aCecil (sandy clay loam to clay), Tifton (sand to sandy loam), and Fannin(loam to silt loam) series were prepared.

TABLE 4 Soil Texture % Sand % Silt % Clay Sand 88 8 4 Silt loam 22 64 8Clay loam 30 40 30

Test soils were collected in the field from the upper 10 cm of the soilprofile and air dried and sieved through a 2 mm sieve prior to testing.Three concentrations were used for the testing: 0 ppm (clear), theconcentration set forth in the standard, 2890 ppm (standard), and doublethe standard concentration, 5780 ppm (double).

The three concentrations of sediment laden water were mixed in a 50 Lholding container on top of the flume. Next, 150 and 300 g of dry testsoil were added to 50 L of tap water within the top holding container tomix the standard and double concentrations, respectively. Thetemperature of the solution was recorded so that the viscosity of thewater could be standardized. The solution was thoroughly mixed using amechanical stirring device (paint stirrer on a 4 amp drill) for oneminute to ensure a uniform mix. While continuously mixing the solution,a 150 ml depth integrated sample was taken to measure the initialturbidity of the sediment laden water. After one minute of mixing, thesediment solution was released from the container into the upper end ofthe flume. The timer was started upon release of the water. The holdingcontainer then was rinsed using 2 L of water allowing the rinse water toenter into the upper end of the flume.

The flow of water through the material was timed and recorded until nowater remained behind the material or 25 minutes had elapsed. In thecases where 25 minutes elapsed and water remained behind the material,the distance from the material to the edge of the water up the flume wasmeasured. The filtrate that passed through the flume was collected in a100 L plastic container. The collected filtrate was then agitated with astirrer for one minute. After one minute of stirring, a 500 ml depthintegrated sample was taken to measure the suspended solids andturbidity of the leachate.

The ASTM standard provides equations for calculating suspended solids,filtering efficiency, and flow rate. The equations for suspended solidsand filtering efficiency were given as:

$\begin{matrix}{S_{s} = \frac{\left( {A - B} \right) \times 1000}{C}} & (1)\end{matrix}$where:

-   -   S_(s)=Suspended solids, ppm;    -   A=weight of filter plus residue (g);    -   B=weight of filter (g); and    -   C=sample size, ml.

$\begin{matrix}{F_{E} = {\frac{2890 - S_{s}}{2890} \times 100}} & (2)\end{matrix}$where:

-   -   F_(E)=Filtering efficiency; and    -   2890 represents the sediment placed behind the material, and is        replaced with 5780 for the double concentration runs.

However, the equations for the flow rate that were given in the ASTMstandard were determined to be incorrect. Through consultation with thestandard developers, the following equations were derived to calculateflow rate (F_(T)) through the specimen in m³/m²/min:

For complete drainage in less than 25 minutes:F_(T)=0.606/t  (3)or for incomplete drainage:

$\begin{matrix}{F_{T} = {\frac{0.05 - {0.000000034X^{2}}}{0.082 - {0.000068X}}/t}} & (4)\end{matrix}$where:

-   -   t=time for flow, min.; and    -   X=distance from the material to the edge of the water behind the        geotextile, mm.

Since there was very little temperature variation in the room over thetesting period (temperature ranged from 21.7±0.4° C.), a correction forthe viscosity of water was made using the average temperature ratherthan the individual runs as outlined in equation 5 of the standard.

Each test consisted of a clear, single, and double concentration run ona single section of material. The test was run in triplicate for eachsoil type on both materials for a total of 18 tests. After each test wascompleted, the test material was removed from the flume, dried, andsaved. The top holding tank, the flume, gutter, and collector then werecleaned using tap water to remove any remaining sediment. A new sectionof material was then fastened securely along the entire length of 3sides of the flume for the next test. The results are presented in Table5 and FIGS. 10-12.

TABLE 5 Flow Rate (m³/m²/min) Sample Clear Single Double Sand S 0.67530.0470 0.0015 W 0.4560 0.1072 0.0098 Silt S 0.4544 0.0014 0.0005 W0.4265 0.0022 0.0015 Clay S 0.4163 0.0016 0.0005 W 0.3881 0.0023 0.0021

Captured samples from each of the tests were analyzed for totalsuspended solids and turbidity. Total suspended solids were analyzedusing the standard method set forth in Methods for the Examination ofWaster and Wastewater (Greenberg at al., 1998). Whatman 934-AH glassmicro fiber filters were used for the procedure. The sample volume was100 ml.

Turbidity was run on a HF scientific DRT 100B. The instrument was zeroedusing deionized (DI) water. Samples bottles were shaken vigorously for10 seconds. A small subsample was poured into the instrument cuvette andcapped. The subsample was again shaken vigorously for 10 seconds andplaced in the instrument. A 10 second average was taken for the reading.The subsample was then discarded and the cuvette was rinsed thoroughlywith DI water. This process was repeated for each sample. SAS analysisof variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical analysis to determinedifferences between the treatments. The results are presented in Table6, in FIGS. 13 and 14 (filtration efficiency), and in FIGS. 15 and 16(turbidity).

TABLE 6 Suspended Turbidity F_(E) % Reduction Type solids (ppm) (NTU)(%) in turbidity Standard concentration Sand S 46.0 25.5 98 58 W 92.343.3 97 25 Silt S 161.3 77.7 94 81 W 365.7 167.0 87 58 Clay S 76.7 83.297 82 W 300.7 220.7 90 51 Double Concentration Sand S 73.3 43.3 99 55 W163.0 77.0 97 31 Silt S 166.7 92.7 97 90 W 608.7 359.3 90 58 Clay S139.3 138.3 98 84 W 509.3 452.7 91 45

Example 2

The flume was raised to about 58% to produce more hydraulic head andsimulate a 60% slope (referred to herein as “modified ASTMD-5141-96(2004))”. Testing at the higher slope was only conducted forthe silt loam soil. Each test included a clear, single, and doubleconcentration run per material. The test was run in triplicate for eachfence for a total six tests.

The same apparatus was used for the 60% slope as for the 8% slope(Example 1), except as follows: the brace that secured the holding tankwas modified to level the tank; the gutter that channeled the leachateinto the 100 L plastic container was removed and replaced with flashing,which allowed the leachate to freefall into a new plastic container thatwas wider than the flume; and the new receptacle was calibrated so thevolume of leachate collected could be calculated by the depth ofleachate in the container.

The same timing and sampling procedure was used for the 60% slope as forthe 8% slope (Example 1), except that the total volume of slurry passingthe fence was measured and recorded instead of measuring the distance ofpooled water behind the fence after 25 minutes. The following equationswere derived and used to calculate the flow rate:

for complete drainage in less than 25 minutes:F_(T)=0.2252/t  (5); orfor incomplete drainage:

$\begin{matrix}{F_{T} = {\frac{Vnet}{0.222}/t}} & (6)\end{matrix}$where:

-   -   t=time for flow in minutes,    -   Vnet=total flow that passed through the fence barrier in cubic        meters, and    -   0.222=the area of fence material exposed to flow.

The results are presented in Table 7 and FIGS. 17-19.

TABLE 7 Flow % Rate Suspended Reduction Fence (m³/m²/ solids TurbidityF_(e) in type Run min) (ppm) (NTU) (%) turbidity S Clear 0.4054 Standard0.0149 290 130 90 61 Double 0.0084 447 197 92 74 W Clear 0.3747 Standard0.0084 474 171 84 46 Double 0.0068 860 322 85 53

Example 3

In addition to flume testing, an additional structure and test methodwere constructed to determine if simplified method would produce similarresults. Using the apparatus shown in FIG. 20, additional evaluationswere conducted using the silt loam soil. These runs were only conductedat the standard concentration.

PVC piping was used to construct an apparatus consisting of a 7 Lholding tank placed on top of a valve. Attached below the valve was a 14in. section of 4 in. PVC pipe which ran perpendicular to the ground. A45° elbow with a 4 in. diameter was attached to the bottom of the pipe.A 7 inch diameter section of geotextile was tightly fastened to the openend of the elbow with a ring clamp. A plastic container was placed belowthe opening to collect the leachate.

For this test, 21 g of soil was added to 7 L of tap water in order tomake the standard concentration, 2890 ppm. The temperature of the waterwas recorded and the soil laden water was mixed with a small paintstirrer for 1 minute. While still mixing, a depth integrated sample wastaken to measure the initial turbidity of the water. At this point thevalve was opened and the timer started. An additional 100 ml of waterwas used to rinse any remaining sediment from the holding container.

The flow of slurry was timed until the leachate began to drip into theplastic container or 25 minutes had elapsed. If 25 minutes elapsed thetotal volume of leachate collected was measured and recorded. Theleachate was then agitated for 1 minute with a small paint stirrer and adepth integrated 500 ml sample was taken to measure the suspended solidsand turbidity of the leachate. Clear and standard concentrations wererun for each geotextile material using the silt loam soil. The fence wasreplaced after each test. Each test was done in triplicate for eachgeotextile.

Flow rates were calculated by dividing the volume of flow collected (m³)by the area (m²) and the time required to collect the flow (maximum of25 minutes). The results are presented in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Flow rate Suspended Reduction Fence (m³/ solids Turbidity F_(e)in turbidity type Run m²/min) (ppm) (NTU) (%) (%) S Clear 2.5493Standard 0.0314 148 61 95 82 W Clear 2.7337 Standard 0.0266 350 130 8860

Comparison of Test Methods

A general comparison of the results obtained using each of the varioustest methods is provided in Tables 9 and 10. Table 9 provides acomparison of average flow rates (m³/m²/min) for each method using thesilt loam soil. Table 10 provides a comparison of average filteringefficiency and percent reduction in turbidity for each method using thesilt loam soil at the standard sediment concentration. Each valuerepresents the average of the three replicates.

TABLE 9 Fence Run Flume at 8% Flume at 58% Proposed Test S Clear 0.45440.4054 2.5493 Standard 0.0014 0.0149 0.0314 W Clear 0.4265 0.3747 2.7337Standard 0.0022 0.0084 0.0266

TABLE 10 Filtering Efficiency % Reduction in Turbidity Flume Flume FlumeFlume Fence at 8% at 58% New test at 8% at 58% New test S 94.4 90.0 94.981 61 82 W 87.3 83.6 87.9 58 46 60

The filter efficiencies and turbidity reductions for both the S and Wsystems were nearly the same as those measured using the ASTM testmethod. Since this testing apparatus is much easier to construct and thetests are easier to conduct, this procedure may offer advantages overthe standard test method.

Although certain embodiments of this invention have been described abovewith a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art couldmake numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of this invention. All directional references(e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward,top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, andcounterclockwise) are used only for identification purposes to aid thereader's understanding of the various embodiments of the presentinvention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to theposition, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically setforth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., joined, attached,coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and mayinclude intermediate members between a connection of elements andrelative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do notnecessarily imply that two elements are connected directly and in fixedrelation to each other.

While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation tospecific aspects, it is to be understood that this detailed descriptionis only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is mademerely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of thepresent invention. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art,that various elements discussed with reference to the variousembodiments may be interchanged to create entirely new embodimentscoming within the scope of the present invention. It is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and notlimiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thedetailed description set forth herein is not intended nor is to beconstrued to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude anysuch other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements of the present invention.

Accordingly, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled inthe art that, in view of the above detailed description of theinvention, the present invention is susceptible of broad utility andapplication. Many adaptations of the present invention other than thoseherein described, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested bythe present invention and the above detailed description thereof,without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

1. A reinforced silt retention sheet arranged above ground, for use in asilt management application, comprising: a flexible, water permeable,nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of entangled polymer fibers andhaving a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 5mm; and a reinforcingmaterial or element extending along the nonwoven fabric and adapted tosupport and prevent ripping or tearing of the silt retention sheetsecured within with the entangled polymer fibers without substantiallybeing bonded thereto, the reinforcing material or element being arrangedspaced in non-overlapping intervals in the warp and/or fill direction ofthe nonwoven fabric, wherein the silt retention sheet has a maximumapparent opening size of less than about 0.6 millimeters as measured byASTM D-4751.
 2. The silt retention sheet of claim 1, wherein thenonwoven fabric comprises a spunbond polyester having a basis weight offrom about 1 to about 8 ounces per square yard.
 3. The silt retentionsheet of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises a spunbondpolypropylene fabric, a spunbond polyester fabric, spunbond polyethyleneterephthalate fabric, a needle punched polyester fabric, a needlepunchedpolyethylene terephthalate fabric, a needlepunched spunbond polyethyleneterephthalate fabric, or any combination thereof.
 4. The silt retentionsheet of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing material comprises afiberglass scrim having a mesh size of from about 0.1 inches to about0.5 inches.
 5. The silt retention sheet of claim 1, having a tensilestrength of at least about 75 lbs, as measured according to ASTM D-4632.6. The silt retention sheet of claim 1, having a standard concentrationreduction in turbidity of at least about 58% as measured according toASTM D-5141-96(2004).
 7. The silt retention sheet of claim 1, having adouble concentration reduction in turbidity of at least about 55% asmeasured according to ASTM D-5141-96(2004).
 8. The silt retention sheetof claim 1, having a standard concentration filtering efficiency of atleast about 90% as measured according to modified ASTM D-5141-96(2004).9. The silt retention sheet of claim 1, having a double concentrationfiltering efficiency of at least about 92% as measured according tomodified ASTM D-5141-96(2004).
 10. The silt retention sheet of claim 1,formed by the process comprising: (a) forming a layer of the entangledpolymeric fibers; (b) overlying the entangled polymeric fibers with thereinforcing material; and (c) overlying the reinforcing material withadditional entangled polymeric fibers.
 11. The silt retention sheet ofclaim 10, formed by the process further comprising: (d) heating thesheet to form bonds between the entangled polymeric fibers withoutsubstantially bonding the entangled polymeric fibers to the reinforcingmaterial.
 12. The silt retention sheet of claim 10, formed by theprocess further comprising: (d) selecting the polymeric fibers to have alower softening point than a softening point of the reinforcingmaterial; and (e) heating the sheet to a temperature above the softeningpoint of the entangled polymeric fibers but below the softening point ofthe reinforcing material.
 13. The silt retention sheet of claim 1,wherein the reinforcing material comprises a plurality of strands formedfrom at least one of polypropylene, polyester, nylon 6, 6, yarn, cordmaterial, fiberglass, aramid fibers, and combinations thereof.
 14. Thesilt retention sheet of claim 1 and wherein the reinforcing material orelement comprises a series of strands aligned in proximity so as to formreinforcing elements at spaced locations along the non-woven fabric. 15.The silt retention sheet of claim 1 and further comprising groundsupports attached to the reinforcing material or element.
 16. Thereinforced silt retention sheet as claimed in claim 15, furthercomprising an attachment means for attaching the ground supports to thereinforcing material wherein the reinforcing material further functionsas an attachment point for the ground supports.
 17. The silt retentionsheet as claimed in claim 16, wherein the attachment means are selectedfrom the group consisting of staples, pins, nails, rings, clips,adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, and combinations thereof.
 18. Thesilt retention sheet of claim 1 and wherein the reinforcing materialcomprises a polymer material entangled within the polymer fibers of thenon-woven fabric.
 19. The silt retention sheet as claimed in claim 1,wherein the reinforcing element is comprised of a plurality ofreinforcing strands or strips that form a band.
 20. A reinforced siltretention sheet comprising a flexible, water permeable non-woven fabricsheet material having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm andincluding a plurality of non-woven polymer fibers and reinforcingelements formed from a resilient, tear resistant material andinterspersed along said fabric sheet material to provide said fabricsheet material with enhanced strength and resistance to tearing, whereinthe reinforced silt retention sheet has an apparent sieve opening sizeof less than approximately 0.6 mm as measured according to ASTM D-4751to provide filtering efficiency for sediment control applications, andhas an ultimate tensile strength ranging from about 100 lbs to 350 lbsin the warp direction and an ultimate tensile strength ranging fromabout 75 lbs to 450 lbs in the fill direction.
 21. The reinforced siltretention sheet of claim 20, and wherein said fabric sheet comprises aspin bond material having a denier of approximately 1 dpf toapproximately 10 dpf.
 22. The reinforced silt retention sheet of claim20, wherein the silt retention sheet is a silt retention fence.
 23. Areinforced silt retention sheet arranged above ground, for use in a siltmanagement application, comprising: a flexible, water permeable,nonwoven geotextile fabric filter material having a thickness of lessthan about 5 mm and comprising a plurality of entangled polymer fibers;and a reinforcing material secured within to the entangled polymerfibers without being bonded thereto, the reinforcing material beingspaced in discontinuous and non-overlapping intervals in the warp andand/or fill direction directions, wherein the silt retention sheet has amaximum apparent opening size of less than about 0.6 millimeters asmeasured by ASTM D-4751.
 24. The reinforced silt retention sheet asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the reinforced silt retention sheet has anultimate tensile strength ranging from about 100 lbs to 350 lbs in thewarp direction and an ultimate tensile strength ranging from about 75lbs to 450 lbs in the fill direction.
 25. The silt retention sheet ofclaim 1, wherein the fabric comprises a non-woven fabric.
 26. The siltretention sheet of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements comprise anarray.
 27. The reinforced silt retention sheet as claimed in claim 23,wherein the reinforcing material is secured within the entangled polymerfibers.
 28. A reinforced silt retention sheet comprising a flexible,water permeable fabric sheet material having a thickness of about 0.1 mmto about 5 mm and including a plurality of reinforcing elements, saidreinforcing elements formed from a resilient, tear resistant materialand interspersed along said fabric sheet material to provide said fabricsheet material with enhanced strength and resistance to tearing, whereinsaid reinforced silt retention sheet has an apparent sieve opening sizeof less than approximately 0.6 mm as measured according to ASTM D-4751to provide filtering efficiency for sediment control applications, andhas an ultimate tensile strength ranging from about 100 lbs to 350 lbsin the warp direction and an ultimate tensile strength ranging fromabout 75 lbs to 450 lbs in the fill direction.
 29. The reinforced siltretention sheet as claimed in claim 28, wherein said reinforcingelements are attached to said polymer fibers by an attachment meansselected from the group consisting of stitching, adhesion, felting, heatfusion, and weaving.
 30. The reinforced silt retention sheet as claimedin claim 29, wherein said reinforcing elements are interspersed alongsaid fabric sheet such that said reinforcing elements form an array. 31.A reinforced silt retention sheet comprising: a flexible, waterpermeable fabric sheet material comprising a plurality of polymerfibers; and a plurality of reinforcing elements that provide reinforcingpoints at which at least one fastener can be attached, said reinforcingelements formed from a resilient, tear resistant material and attachedto said fabric sheet material to provide a reinforced fabric sheetmaterial with enhanced strength and resistance to tearing, wherein saidfabric sheet material comprises a geotextile fabric filter materialhaving an apparent sieve opening size of less than approximately 0.6 mmas measured according to ASTM D-4751 to provide filtering efficiency forsediment control applications, and wherein said reinforced siltretention sheet has: an ultimate tensile strength ranging from about 100lbs to 350 lbs in a warp direction, an ultimate tensile strength rangingfrom about 75 lbs to 450 lbs in a fill direction, a mullen burststrength ranging from about 150 to 450 pounds per square inch, a flowrate ranging from about 35 to 160 gallons/minute/square foot, andwherein said reinforcing elements are applied as strands, cords, arrays,strips, patches, or lengths of material attached along the web of saidflexible, water permeable fabric sheet material.
 32. The reinforced siltretention sheet of claim 31 and further comprising ground supportsattached to the reinforcing material.
 33. The reinforced silt retentionsheet as claimed in claim 32, further comprising an attachment means forattaching the ground supports to the reinforcing material wherein thereinforcing material further functions as an attachment point for theground supports.
 34. The reinforced silt retention sheet as claimed inclaim 33, wherein the attachment means are selected from the groupconsisting of staples, pins, nails, rings, clips, adhesives, hook andloop fasteners, and combinations thereof.